Closure



priH 22, 141.

G; W. ROBINSON CLOSURE Filed Sept. 19, 1938 3 M T /o R W M Ne a B Patented Apr. 22, 1941 UNETED STATES iATEiiT QFFHQE CLOSURE George W. Robinson, Torrance, Calii. Application September 19, 1938, Serial No. 230,623

6 Claims.

This invention relates to a sealing closure for receptacles or bottles.

In many cases, goods are sold in sealed containers. Such goods may be in the form of a liquid or a finely divided solid, such as powdered or granulated sugar. Under any circumstance, it is often desirable to retain the seal even after some of the material is used; but in most instances once the container is opened, it is found difficult if not impossible It is one of the objects of this invention to make it possible to seal containers in a simple and inexpensive manner, even after they have been opened, and to provide a pouring spout in conjunction with the seal that may be used as be closed or opened at This invention possesses many other advantages, and has other objects which may be made more easily apparent from a consideration of several embodiments of the invention. For this purpose there are shown a few forms in the drawing accompanying and forming part of the present specification. These forms, which illustrate the general principles of my invention, will now be described in detail; but it is to be understood that this detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, since the scope of my invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Referring to the drawing:

Figure 1 is a view, mainly in section, illustrating one embodiment of the invention in use in connection with a bottle;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the device illustrated in Fig. 1, with the cover for the spout removed;

Fig. 3 is a bottom view of the cover adapted to cooperate with the spout illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional View illustrating a modified form of the invention; and

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to reseal the container.

over the container opensupport for a suppleto Fig. 1 and illustrating the form of the inner edge of the spout when it is not in sealing relation with the cover for the spout.

In the present instance, the invention is illusrated in conjunction with a milk bottle I, although it may obviously be utilized in connection with receptacles of any desired size having either small or large openings. An important feature of the device is the use of an elastic band 2 (Figs. 1, 2 and 5) made of resilient rubber or other composition, such as latex or gum, and of such design that it can encompass and grip the upper rim 3 of the receptacle to be sealed. The band 2 is made heavy enough so that its inherent resilience causes it to grip the rim 3 quite firmly, and to seal against the rim. Inorder to facilitate removal and replacement of the band 2, use may be made of a grip member l shown as integral with the lower edge of the band 2. Since the band 2 is inherently of sufiicient resilience to grip the rim 3 firmly, there is no necessity for providing any clamping rings or the like; and furthermore, the grip is so tight that there is no danger of any liquid or other material finding its way between band 2 and the rim 3. Of course, the design of the band 2 may be such as to fit any desired shape of rim 3. The elastic band 2 has an overlapping top portion 5, in which there is a spout aperture 5. This spout aperture 6 terminates in a flange 1 at the top portion of the spout. In the present instance, the upright walls 8, defining the spout, form a general triangular arrangement. One apex, such as 9 (Fig. 2) forms a pouring lip for the spout.

Since the spout structure l& is formed integrally with the band 2 and made of resilient material, it is preferable to provide a reinforcing collar '10 or the like encircling the spout structure beneath the flange I. This collar may be formed appropriately of some rigid material such as insulation or the like. Preferably it has a width sufficient to take up the space between the part 5 and the flange 1 and may be cemented or otherwise attached permanently with respect to the band or member 2. In this way the possibility of any foreign matter finding its way between the collar Ill and the cap structure is pre-- vented, thus eliminating any danger of corrosion or deterioration.

The spout opening 6 is intended to be sealed as required by the aid of a removable cover structure II. This cover structure is shown to best advantage in connection with Figs. 1 and 3; it may also be made of some rigid material such as insulation. It may be provided with a hinge lug I2 adapted to be centrally disposed between the two spaced hinged lugs [3 formed integrally with the collar i 0. The hinge pin 14 passing through all three of the lugs I2, I3, may be so arranged as to be firmly engaged in the lugs l3 and to have slight clearance with respect to the aperture l5 in the cover lug l 2. The cover structure H is preferably provided with a depending frame-like projection or rib N5 of sloping or curved contour and adapted to engage the inner edge of the spout opening. This inner edge H, as shown most clearly in Fig. 5, is normally quite sharp, but is intended to be engaged by the projection I6 and to be placed in sealing relation therewith upon the cover I i being placed over the spout. In this way even a slight pressure acting against the sharp corner ll will provide an officient air seal.

Various means may be utilized to keep the cover II in closed position. In the form shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, a latch I8 is shown as molded into the cover H and has a depending member with a terminal latch knob I9. The knob I9 is adapted to be engaged within a small hollow or recess 28 formed in the collar Iii. The member I8 may be of resilient metal so that knob l9 will automatically snap into place upon pressing the cover I i against the spout structure.

By appropriate design of the spout structure the rate of discharge and the form of the discharge may .be controlled. In addition it may be advisable at times to provide a vent tube 2i extending from top to the bottom of the receptacle I to facilitate pouring of the liquid or finely divided material. This vent tube may be ap propriately supported in a bracket 22 formed integrally with the collar 1 0 and extending through an appropriate slot in the wall of the spout structure. This vent tube 2| as well as the bracket 22 may be likewise cemented together, and bracket 22 may be also cemented to the wall 8, so as to exclude foreign matter in the space between these elements, as well as between the bracket I0 and the spout wall 8.

Other forms of latches may be provided. For example, in the form illustrated in Fig. 4, the cover member 23 is shown as having an apertured latch member 24, hinged to the front of the cover member. The lower edge of the aperture is intended to be engaged beneath a hooklike projection 25 of the reinforcing collar 26. This collar 26 is otherwise similar in structure to the collar ID of the form previously described.

In this modification a slightly difierent form of sealing projection of the cover member 23 is shown. In this case a tapered rib 26 is shown, having a fiat exterior side adapted to contact the sharp inner edge of the spout opening 6.

The assembly and use of the apparatus are clear from the foregoing. The entire device may readily be placed upon and removed from the container by stretching the band 2 by the aid of the grip 4. The cover H or 23 may be maintained in a proper air tight or sealing relation with the spout by engagement of the latch structure. To open the cover of Fig. 1, it may simply be urged upwardly by the fingers engaging beneath the latch Hi. In the form of Fig. 4, the cover 23 may be slightly depressed to free the latch 24, and to permit it to swing free.

The numerous uses of this device need not be detailed in full, as it is adaptable in general to many types of containers.

What is claimed is:

1. In a sealing closure for a container, an elastic band adapted by its resilience to engage and seal against the rim of a container opening, an integral pouring spout of resiliently yielding material carried by said band, a collar of rigid material encircling the spout, and a cover for the spout carried by the collar.

2. In a sealing closure for a container, an elastic band adapted by its resilience to engage and seal against the rim of a container opening, an integral pouring spout of resiliently yielding material carried by said band, a collar :of rigid material encircling the spout, a cover for the spout carried by the collar, and a latch between the collar and the cover.

3. In a sealing closure for a container, an elastic band adapted by its resilience to engage and seal against the rim of a container opening, a pouring spout integrally formed on said band and having a resilient inner edge, a collar of rigid material encircling the spout, and a cover carried by the collar and having a portion adapted to be urged into sealing relation with said edge.

4. In a sealing closure for a container, an elastic band adapted by its resilience to engage and seal against the rim of a container opening, a pouring spout integrally formed on said band and having a resilient inner edge, said spout having an outwardly extending flange at the upper edge thereof, a collar encircling .the spout below the flange, and a cover hinged to the collar.

5. In a sealing closure for a container, an elastic band adapted by its resilience to engage and seal against the rim of a container opening, a pouring spout integrally formed on said band and having a resilient inner edge, a collar encircling the spout below the flange, and a cover carried by the collar and having a portion adapted to be urged into sealng relation with said inner edge.

6. In a sealing closure for a container, an elastic band adapted by its resilience to engage and seal against the rim of a container opening, a pouring spout carried by said band, a collar encircling said spout, said collar having an inwardly projecting bracket extending through the wall of the spout, and a vent tube carried by the bracket.

GEORGE W. ROBINSON. 

